NASCAR Jeremy Clements Use Of Word N*GGER Led To Suspension

Although Jeremy Clements wanted to keep the racial word he used Sunday, that ultimately got him suspend indefinitely from NASCAR private, today his word choice was revealed.

MTV News has confirmed the reporter was indeed Marty Beckerman, an associate editor of MTV’s Guy Code. During an interview with MTV News, Beckerman shed light on what took place with NASCAR driver Clements.

“I was there to do a fish-out-of-water story about going to NASCAR and having a wild, crazy weekend. And, we were doing interviews with many of the drivers, and I was on the way to another interview — we were looking for [driver] Johanna Long’s trailer — and the NASCAR publicist called Mr. Clements over and asked him for help finding her,” Beckerman said. “He walked us toward where she was, and on the way over, I explained to him that Guy Code is rules for guys, how you treat your friends, how you treat your ladies, things like that. I was there to do a humor piece, so I asked him what would be Guy Code for race car drivers, and he blurted out [a phrase that used the n-word].”

Beckerman went on to point out he had no intentions to publish the story. If you’re familiar with Guy Code, the show is based on humor which is the polar opposite of what this situation has transformed into.The conversation wasn’t recorded, but Beckerman did write down in his notes the context of which the word was used.

“We had not even intended to necessarily publish it, because our site is a humor site for men, we aren’t the New York Times, we aren’t investigative journalism. It didn’t fit with our blog,” Beckerman said. “The fact is that NASCAR made this a national story, and then Clements explained a bit of what he said to ESPN … I never wanted to be part of the story.”

Clements did call Beckerman Thursday, after his suspension was publicize, to offer an apology for his choice of words.

“I don’t know him well enough to know if that reflects anything in his heart,” Beckerman said, “but he said he doesn’t harbor these feelings.”

Beckerman pointed out that Clements was trying to reference “if you drive roughly, you’ll be treated roughly,” and that was the context in which he used the word. Although Beckerman backs up Clements’s stance by stating he didn’t direct the word at anyone particular. a derogatory and/or racial slur doesn’t have to be aimed at anyone to make an negative impact.

I can’t argue how Clements may feel personally, but the word shouldn’t have been used and a suspension was warranted. Regardless of Clements’s race, if he was an African- American I would also make the same case, such words shouldn’t be used. If you view it in this circumstances, if you was at work walking with a co-worker and a partner of the company, would you find it fitting to use the n-word during that situation? Well hopefully if you have any common sense you wouldn’t. Clements was at a place of business, when he decided to use that word.NASCAR is his boss and he is the employee and there are certain things you don’t say while at work. NASCAR has to lead by example, and by suspending Clements, even though fans didn’t hear the word, shows they aren’t playing around. It sets the tone. NASCAR won’t allow derogatory words or racial slurs under any circumstances.